Various - Berlin Paris 1.0

Various - Berlin Paris 1.0
Each release on the new Reclaim Your City label plucks two artists from two different techno scenes. It starts on a strong note with Berlin Paris 1.0. Berlin, RYC's home, is represented by Subjected and Blind Observatory, a relatively new name. Subjected's "Nordkiez No. 4" is the most straightforward thing here—a dirty, chord-driven cut for peak-time use. Blind Observatory, whose production debut came just a year ago on the local label I/Y, offers "Beneath A Steel Sky," a deeper, sleeker, more intriguing effort that's driven by monotone bass and layered with sullen pads and long, curling reverberations.

While the Berliners stick to no-nonsense 4/4 beats, Parisian producers Antigone and Zadig each bring something more mental. "Blank Slate" from Antigone is brisk and jittery, its spare 3/4 lead twitching endlessly as it moves through a few cunning transitions. Zadig also uses three-against-four rhythms, but opts for complete immersion with "The 700 Steps Of Sleep," whose drums are woven into a heavy, hypnotic groove beneath clouds of discordant harmonics. Over eight minutes long, it's almost thrilling to the point of exhaustion. For me it's the EP's best track, but nobody is slacking on this fine first release for the label.